# Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops) in Nigeria

- Source: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/chloramphenicol/
- Drug class: Antibiotic (topical eye/ear) (Eye & Ear Drops)
- Also known as: Optachlor, Chloromycetin, Eye drops for Apollo
- Prescription required: no
- On the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
- Last updated: September 2026

## Price in Nigeria

As of September 2026, Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops) sells for about ₦875 online in Nigeria (₦550–₦1,000) across HealthPlus and Supermart.ng. The online price is roughly unchanged since August 2026. That figure is for Opticol; 10 other chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops) brands are NAFDAC-registered and generic versions usually cost less. Open-market prices (e.g. Idumota, Ogbogwu) are often lower.

## What is Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops)?

Chloramphenicol eye drops (and eye ointment) are the best-known treatment for eye infections in Nigeria — the medicine most people reach for when an eye turns red, sticky, and gummy. It is an antibiotic applied directly to the eye, sold over the counter as brands like Optachlor and Chloromycetin and as cheap generics, and it is a fixture in every pharmacy and patent medicine store. The same active ingredient is also used as ear drops for some ear infections.

Chloramphenicol works by stopping bacteria from multiplying, which lets the eye's own defences clear the infection. It is used for bacterial conjunctivitis — the red, sore, discharging eye that often crusts the lashes together overnight. In Nigeria this is popularly called 'Apollo', though that name is loosely used for any red eye. An important point: many 'Apollo' outbreaks are actually viral conjunctivitis, which antibiotic drops do not cure; in those cases chloramphenicol is sometimes used to prevent a secondary bacterial infection, but the viral eye largely settles on its own with hygiene.

Chloramphenicol eye drops are inexpensive, widely available, and generally very safe for short-term use. The drops are usually put in frequently for the first couple of days and then less often, for about five days in total. What they are not for is a red eye with pain, blurred vision, or light sensitivity — those features suggest something more serious than simple conjunctivitis and need an eye specialist. Genuine products carry a NAFDAC registration number, worth checking as eye preparations are commonly faked.

## What is Chloramphenicol (eye & ear drops) used for?

- Bacterial conjunctivitis — red, sore, sticky, discharging eye
- Minor bacterial eye infections and infected eyelids or styes
- Preventing secondary bacterial infection in an irritated or viral 'Apollo' eye
- Some bacterial ear infections when used as ear drops
- Short-term eye-infection first aid available without a prescription

## Dosage

Always follow a doctor's or pharmacist's instructions; this is general reference information.

- Adults: For 0.5% eye drops: put 1 drop into the affected eye every 2 hours for the first 2 days while awake, then 1 drop every 4 hours, for a total of about 5 days. For 1% eye ointment: apply a small amount 3-4 times a day, or at night if also using drops during the day. Continue for 48 hours after the eye looks normal. Wash your hands before and after, and do not let the dropper tip touch the eye or lashes.
- Children: Chloramphenicol eye drops can be used in children at the same frequency, but for infants and young children it is best to check with a pharmacist or doctor first, especially in babies. Never share an eye-drop bottle between people, as this spreads infection.
- Elderly: Standard dosing applies. Older adults with an eye that is painful, has reduced vision, or is not improving should be seen by a health worker rather than continuing drops.

Use one bottle for one person only, and discard it about 4 weeks after opening — an old, contaminated bottle can make an eye infection worse. If both eyes are affected, use separate drops or wipe carefully to avoid cross-infection. If the eye is no better after 48 hours, or is painful, sensitive to light, or vision is affected, stop self-treating and see an eye specialist. Remove contact lenses while treating an eye infection.

## Side effects

Common: Brief stinging or burning when the drops go in; Temporary blurred vision just after applying (more with ointment); Mild eye irritation or watering.

Serious (seek medical help immediately): Signs of an allergic reaction: swelling, itching, rash around the eye, or difficulty breathing — stop and seek help; Worsening redness, pain, or discharge despite treatment; Any loss or blurring of vision that does not clear.

When to see a doctor: See an eye specialist if the eye is painful (not just gritty), if vision is blurred or reduced, if the eye is very sensitive to light, if there is no improvement after 48 hours, or if the problem keeps coming back. A red eye with these 'red flag' features can signal something more serious than conjunctivitis — such as a corneal ulcer, iritis, or glaucoma — which needs proper examination rather than more antibiotic drops.

## Warnings

Do not take if: Do not use if you are allergic to chloramphenicol; Do not use for a painful red eye with blurred vision or light sensitivity without seeing an eye specialist first; Do not use drops that have been open longer than about 4 weeks, or that are shared with others; Avoid in people with a personal or family history of serious blood disorders linked to chloramphenicol, unless advised by a doctor.

Interactions: As eye or ear drops, very little chloramphenicol is absorbed into the body, so significant drug interactions are rare; Do not use two different eye-infection drops at the same time without advice; Remove contact lenses during treatment and do not reinsert until the infection has cleared.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Chloramphenicol eye drops are generally considered acceptable for short-term use in pregnancy and breastfeeding because very little is absorbed into the bloodstream, but it is still best to check with a pharmacist or doctor first, particularly near the time of delivery. For a simple sticky eye, careful eye hygiene — bathing the lids with cooled boiled water — is a reasonable first step while you seek advice.

## Brands in Nigeria

Well-known NAFDAC-registered brands: Chloromycetin (Pfizer, made in United Kingdom); Chloramphenicol 0.5% Eye Drops (Fidson Healthcare, made in Nigeria); Opticol (Clarion Medicals Limited, made in China).
Full searchable brand list: https://ogbogwu.com/drugs/chloramphenicol/brands/

## How to verify it is genuine

1. Check the NAFDAC registration number on the bottle or tube — genuine eye and ear preparations in Nigeria must carry a valid NAFDAC number
2. Verify the NAFDAC number using the NAFDAC Green Book or the NAFDAC mobile app
3. Buy from licensed pharmacies rather than roadside sellers, as eye drops are commonly counterfeited and a fake or contaminated product can seriously harm the eye
4. Check the expiry date and that the seal is intact; note the date you open it and discard about 4 weeks later
5. Genuine drops should be clear (unless a suspension) with no floating particles or discolouration; do not use if the solution looks cloudy or dirty
6. Make sure the dropper tip and seal are undamaged and the bottle has never been opened before purchase

Verify any NAFDAC number free (no login): https://ogbogwu.com/nafdac-checker/

## FAQs

### Is chloramphenicol the right eye drop for 'Apollo'?

It depends on what is causing the red eye. 'Apollo' is a popular Nigerian name for conjunctivitis, but most 'Apollo' outbreaks are viral, and antibiotic drops like chloramphenicol do not cure a viral infection — that settles by itself over one to two weeks with good hygiene. Chloramphenicol treats bacterial conjunctivitis (a red eye with thick, sticky, yellow discharge that gums the lashes) and is sometimes used in viral cases to prevent a secondary bacterial infection. The most important things during an 'Apollo' outbreak are strict hand-washing, not sharing towels or pillows, and avoiding touching the eyes. If the eye is painful or vision is affected, see an eye specialist rather than relying on drops.

### How long can I keep and use an eye-drop bottle?

Only for one course of treatment, and only for one person. Once opened, an eye-drop bottle should be discarded after about 4 weeks, because the solution can become contaminated with bacteria — using an old bottle can actually cause an eye infection rather than cure one. Never share eye drops with someone else, as this spreads infection between people. Write the opening date on the bottle, keep the cap on tightly, and do not let the dropper tip touch your eye, fingers, or any surface.

### When should a red eye be seen by a doctor instead of using drops?

See an eye specialist promptly if the red eye is genuinely painful (not just gritty or itchy), if your vision is blurred or reduced, if the eye is very sensitive to light, if there is no improvement after two days of drops, or if it keeps recurring. These are warning signs that the problem may be more serious than simple conjunctivitis — for example a corneal ulcer, iritis, or acute glaucoma — all of which can threaten sight and need proper examination. Chloramphenicol is fine for a simple sticky eye, but it is not a substitute for an eye check when there are red flags.

## Sources

- NAFDAC Greenbook (official register of approved products in Nigeria)
- WHO Model List of Essential Medicines
- British National Formulary (BNF)
- Nigerian Standard Treatment Guidelines (Federal Ministry of Health)